Longs Creek Water Supply Project Wrap-up Still Expected May 1

Friday, May 1, remains the anticipated completion of the Longs Creek Water Supply project, the Auburn Board of Public Works (BPW) was informed Wednesday, March 18.
Ray Luhring, general manager, noted the final plans and specifications were submitted to state officials Thursday, March 5. No issues were forseen. State approval was expected the last full week of March, the general manager continued.
He also notified the board BPW water and electrical crews have been “fantastic” at completing work. The intake structure pump had not been shipped. Luhring indicated a Miller & Associates representative was planning to contact the supplier. The contractor has been installing the ultraviolet upgrade at the water treatment plant, he related. Electrical work has been installed.
An onsite meeting was planned Thursday, March 19. It involved Luhring; Kevin Kuhlmann, electrical manager; Alan Slater, water and wastewater manager; a representative from Miller & Associates; HOA, involved with the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition integration and WesTech, furnishing the temporary water treatment plant.
Well and pumping levels continue to be monitored daily. Slater reported static levels have dropped four feet since last fall. Pumping levels are holding their own, the latest report was 10 feet, they had been 16 feet previously, the water/wastewater manager said. Slater thought the utility is still in good shape, everything was under control. If rain occurs in April, the wells will rebound to the level of last fall. If dry conditions continue, he noted Longs Creek should keep the utility out of the drought contingency plan.
Westgate Street Lights, Drought Contingency Plan
Luhring stated electrical crews installed street lights in the Westgate Addition the week of Monday, March 9. When the structures were unwrapped, the general manager indicated black wrapping was stuck to the poles, which were returned to the manufacturer who refurbished them.
Slater plans to contact a Wichita State University representative Wednesday or Thursday, March 25 or 26 on the alteration of the drought contingency plan. The reworked plan will incorporate the Longs Creek Water Supply project. There will be no cost to BPW.
Action Items
The following items were allowed by the board:
--requesting bids on rebuilding a generator at the power plant. There was $200,000 included in the 2026 BPW electrical budget. The generator was last rebuilt in 1996-1997 and there have been several issues with it. The work will likely be in the fall. A three week Southwest Power Pool window is required.
--authorizing Luhring discretion to purchase a used dump truck not to exceed $75,000. Replacement was also included in the utility’s budget. It was determined formal competitive bidding was not practical or advantageous.
--a policy covering employees enlisted in active duty military, contingent on contacting the union. Utility staff was given information by Crystal Dunekacke, Auburn city administrator/economic developer on formulating the procedure. It will be in compliance with the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994, Nebraska statutes and any other state and federal laws governing eligible employee’s rights because of military reserve training or active service. BPW had not had a current strategy.
--authorizing Tamara Westhart, accounting and finance manager, to contact local financial institutions requesting bids on renewing a certificate of deposit. The document needed to be extended by Tuesday, March 24. Its current rate is 4.06 percent and its current value was $224,071.30. Renewal will be at the best available local interest rate.
--authorized signers on bank accounts and certificates of deposit.
--following a closed session to discuss personnel issues related to succession planning, Luhring was authorized to move forward with a succession plan. The general manager is retiring Thursday, Dec. 31, 2026.
All action items were approved 3-0. Kevin Reiman and Dr. Michael Zaruba were not present at the meeting.